A NEW WAY TO YOUR DREAM DOG

An Introduction toArtificial Insemination

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What does artificial insemination mean? ............................................................................................. 4

Advantages of artificial insemination .................................................................................................... 5

What does artificial insemination of semen consist of? ......................................................................... 11

FAQs ...................................................................................................................................................... 17

Contact addresses for further questions ................................................................................................ 21

CONTENTS

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WHAT DOES ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION MEAN?

The artificial insemination of dogs is not a new concept. The first reported insemination of a bitch is dated back to 1780.

Artificial insemination (AI) is the instrumental transfer of semen from a male dog to the vagina or uterus of a bitch. In contrast to the natural mating process, semen from the male dog is collected manually and then deposited into the vagina or uterus of the bitch with the use of specialized instruments. There is no further interference with the fertilization process, such as the sperm penetration of the ovum.

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Reduces the risk of infection which can occur with natural mating. Also the risk of infections such as Canine Flu during transport is eliminated.

ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

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Allows for selective breeding with dogs that have especially desirable traits, as well as the ability to breed dogs that live at great distances from each other, due to the ability to transport and preserve semen.

ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

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∞

Semen of a valuable dog can be cryo-preserved and stored for an unlimited time – even after death.

ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

-196°C

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ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

High success rate due to the use of semen evaluated for fertility and improved by addition of extenders, and because of the accurate timing of insemination.

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ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

And furthermore:

No need for stud or female dog transport and stressful displacements.

Fertilisation can take place even when the male or the female dog has temporary physical or psychological disorders, making natural breeding impossible.

Repeated breeding is possible without risking exhaustion of the dog. One ejaculate can be split into multiple semen doses for AI. The breeding business becomes more attractive!

Psychological characteristics such as inexperience, lack of acceptance and hierarchy do not matter. Also physical disorders such as injuries to the limbs do not inhibit mating.

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FACTORS FOR SUCCESS OF THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF DOGS

Timing of insemination

Semen quality

Insemination technique

The success of artificial insemination depends primarily on three factors:

Therefore, artificial insemination, particularly instrumental semen transfer, should always be performed by your veterinarian!

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WHAT DOES THE INSTRUMENTAL TRANSFER OF SEMEN CONSIST OF?

Identification of timing of

insemination

Semen collection

Insemination

Semen evaluation

Semen processing

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1. TIMING OF INSEMINATION

The timing of insemination is the first thing that needs to be determined for the bitch that is to be bred. The timing depends on physiological factors related to ovulation and conception. The optimal timing for AI or mating varies dramatically from breed to breed, dog to dog or cycle to cycle within the same dog. In an average dog, the fertile period is somewhere in the interval between ovulation and the following few days. However, huge variations are observed. For optimal results after artificial insemination, ovulation and the fertile period should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Proestrus Estrus Metestrus Anestrus

Ovulation

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After the male dog has been evaluated and determined healthy, the semen is collected. The examination should take place in a separate room and the number of people present should be limited to the minimum required so that there are no disruptions during the examination and semen collection. Natural mating conditions are simulated with the presence of a bitch that is in heat. However, vaginal swabs from a female in estrus can be used when no females are available. A manual stimulation of the male dog will allow collection of the ejaculate. The sperm-rich portion of the semen is separated from the watery portions which contain few sperms but a lot of non desirable contaminants by collecting the semen with semen collection funnels.

The presence of the owner, or of a person familiar with the dog, may be beneficial in some instances standing at the head of the male dog so that it can either be calmed or motivated according to what the temperament requires. Normally a muzzle is not necessary and can even invoke defensive behaviors that can complicate the collection process.

2. SEMEN COLLECTION

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3. SEMEN EVALUATION

Evaluate the semen for the following parameters:

• Volume• Appearance (consistency/colour)• pH value• Semen concentration• Total sperm cell count in the ejaculate• Motility of sperm cells• Number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells

These parameters inform whether the semen is appropriate for artificial insemination or would be suitable for natural mating.

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4. SEMEN PROCESSING

Semen collection

Semen evaluation

Semen is used for insemination within 20

minutes of collection

Semen is used for insemination within

several days of collection

Semen can be used for years following

collection

Chilled preservationFresh semen Cryopreservation

Transport / Storage

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5. INSTRUMENTAL SEMEN TRANSFER - INSEMINATION TECHNIQUE

The technique for artificial insemination depends on the type of semen to be used:

Fresh semenInsemination using fresh semen normally takes place immediately after the semen is collected and the ejaculate is evaluated. Fresh semen is generally introduced into the cranial part of the vagina.

Chilled semenChilled semen, which is normally semen that has been extended, chilled and eventually transported, can either be introduced into the vagina or it can be deposited into the uterus using an endoscope. Insemination using chilled semen can take place several days after collection, due to advanced preservation media that are available today. After several days (depends on the type of media used) semen quality declines.

Cryopreserved semenCryopresevered semen needs to be thawed just before insemination and must be deposited directly into the uterus, in order to achieve good insemination results. If the insemination of the bitch takes place with an endoscope, the dog remains conscious with the owner present. Surgical transfer normally takes place under general anaesthesia.

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FAQs

When is AI not recommended?

Instrumental semen transfer should only be done with healthy and fertile dogs. Artificial insemination should ideally not be used to help dogs with deformities, diseases of sexual organs or fertility disorders to breed.

A few kennel organisations are sceptical about artificial insemination. To receive more detailed information on regulations for your breed, please contact your breeding association directly.

Who pays for AI?

The costs for collecting the semen and performing the insemination are customarily charged to the owner of the bitch. Costs for the insemination of the bitch are also incurred by the owner of the female dog. (FCI)

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FAQs

Can my dog’s semen be used for AI?

In order to assess if the male dog is suitable for artificial insemination, the dog will need to be examined for health and breeding aptitude by the veterinarian.

The following criteria must exist:

General health

Healthy sexual organs

Fertility

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FAQs

Can my female dog be used for AI?

The bitch that is to be bred must also be examined for health and breeding aptitude by the veterinarian. Additionally, the heat cycle of the female needs to be assessed.

The following criteria must exist:

General health

Healthy sexual organs and teats

Heat, respectively readiness to conceive

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FAQs

Are pups bred via artificial insemination recognized by breeding associations?

Excerpt from the Breeding Regulations of the world canine organisation (FCI), §15:Whelps from two pure-bred dogs holding the same FCI recognised breed pedigrees are considered without objection or restriction by the national canine organisation to be pedigree whelps and are therefore entitled to be issued FCI recognised pedigrees.

FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale

Secretariat General of the FCIPlace Albert 1er, 13 BELGIQUE-6530 THUIN Tel : +32 71 59.12.38 Fax : +32 71 59.22.29 E-mail : info@fci.be www.fci.be

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Important aspects, related to artificial insemination that are regulated by the FCI:

AI (artificial insemination) should ideally only take place with animals that have mated naturally at least one time before. Exceptions are regulated by the national organisations.

The veterinarian performing the insemination must confirm with the organisation that keeps the stud book that the bitch has been artificially inseminated with the sperm of the correctly corresponding stud dog.

The certification provided by the veterinarian must also include location and date of insemination, name and stud book number of the bitch, as well as the name and address of the owner.

FAQs

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If you have any questions regarding AI, the following addresses will assist you:

University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverReproductive Medicine of ClinicsBünteweg 15 - 30559 Hannover www.tiho-hannover.de

Justus-Liebig-University Gießen Clinics of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small AnimalsFrankfurterstr. 106 - 35392 Gießen www.uni-giessen.de

List of semen banks in Europe:www.canine-semenbanks-europe.com

Ludwig-Maximilian University MunichClinic for Veterinary Gynecology and ObstetricsKöniginstrasse 12 - 81337 München www.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de

University LeipzigLarge Animal Clinic for Theriogenology and Ambulatory ServicesAn den Tierkliniken 29 - 04103 Leipzigwww.vmf.uni-leipzig.de

University BerlinKönigsweg 65, Haus 27 - 14163 Berlinwww.vetmed.fu-berlin.de

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Minitüb GmbHHauptstr. 4184184 TiefenbachGermanywww.minitube.de Phone: +49 (0) 8709 9229 0Email: minitube@minitube.de

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